Braves squash Pendleton 10-0

The Grant County Braves baseball team played Pendleton County on April 22. In a decisive game, Grant beat Pendleton 10-0.

The Braves recognized their graduating seniors that night. Making up the class of 2024 are Boston Traylor, Bradley Wooten, Braden Sustarich, Omar Varillas Perez and Tucker Ammerman.

Kicking off the first inning the Braves started on defense with Braden Sustarich at pitcher. Grant made quick work of the Wildcats’ offense as Sustarich struck out two and Traylor made a catch in the outfield.

In the bottom of the inning the Braves only earned a single base hit before a line out closed the inning.

Heading into the second inning Grant’s defense once again shut down Pendleton, not allowing a base. Combining two groundouts with a strikeout the Braves’ defense continued to be a challenge.

It was during this inning that the Wildcats’ defense was cracked as Bradley Wooten scored. Responding after a popout, Wooten earned the first hit with a double over second. Luke Durnell then brought him home with another double moments later.

Though Traylor and Ammerman would both earn bases a ragout and strikeout prevented additional runs.

Throughout the third and fourth innings, Grant’s defense continued to fend off Wildcat responses, only allowing two base hits and a walk.

Conversely, the Braves began to pull away. Once again opening with a double Sustarich made it to second base. As Colten Alexander made contact Sustarich managed to score thanks to an error.

Building steam Xavier Camacho followed up with a single before James Cull replaced him as a courtesy runner. Before Pendleton’s defense recovered, a pass ball allowed Alexander to take home.

Wooten and Durnell both earned bases shortly after, but a groundout brought the third inning to a close.

After an initial flyout in the bottom of the fourth, Seth Tucker was walked. Sustarich then earned his second double, putting runners on second and third.

Capitalizing on a hit by Alexander both runners scored to make it 5-0. Although Pendleton was able to slow the bleeding following this they couldn’t overcome Grant’s defense.

Moving into the fifth inning Tucker Ammerman took over pitching. The Wildcats managed to load the bases, but Grant cut their rally short as a double play by Sustarich and a catch by Traylor made three outs.

Ammerman earned the only base for the Braves in the fifth.

With two force outs at first and a strikeout by Ammerman, Grant went to bat in the bottom of the sixth.

It was during the sixth that the Wildcats’ defense fell away as the Braves ended the game with a run-rule. Thanks to runs by Sustarich, Alexander, Cull, Beach, and Wooten Grant closed the game early. With Traylor ending the game after a double for Wooten to score, the Braves took a strong victory 10-0.